Lazy Gardener: Plant a patriotic garden

BRENDA BEUST SMITH

Published 5:30 am, Saturday, June 28, 2003

It may be a little late to "plant" a patriotic garden for your big Fourth of July gathering. But nurseries are full of blooming pots of red, white and blue flowers to gather in containers. Top with a little American flag for the perfect appropriate touch.

Look for fire-engine reds, pure whites and lush blues. True blue will be the hardest to find. There is light-blue plumbago, and scaevola, tibouchina (princess flower) and the bluer spiked salvias offer purplish-blues.

Two true blues are Salvia sinaloensis `Sinaloa' (also called purple leaf salvia) and dwarf or creeping plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), which is not a true plumbago but close enough to have the name. You may have to call around to find these two.

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Hydrangeas are sold as beautiful blues, but soil pH determines future color. Since our soils tend to be more alkaline, garden hydrangeas tend to be more pink.

And note that purplish/blue flowers will look more blue when grouped with reds and whites, as long as you don't position them near true-blue flowers.

Combine red, white and blue blooms in one container or mix pots with individual colors. Or, if you have a shrub with red, white or blue blooms, group pots of the other two at the base. A red hibiscus, for example, could be set off with white `Silver Mound' lantana and a spiky blue salvia. Complement blooming blue plumbago or lily-of-the-Nile (agapanthus) with tall red and white pentas.

Few varieties come in all three colors -- salvias and the purplish-blues of petunias and passion vines are exceptions. Using all three colors in a single plant variety could be quite striking.

Think in terms of shape. Often the most attractive groupings combine one tall plant with a lush global shaped one and a third cascading over the sides. Look for plants you like, since these can all go into the garden after the party. The best choices are those that will continue blooming all summer.

Hanging baskets often are the inexpensive route to the most lush, flower-laden purchases. Plants easily can be moved out of the basket and into your container and then put back or planted in the ground after the party.

Plants listed in the accompanying box are good container choices that are available in full bloom at area nurseries, although you may need to visit several to get your desired look. Tall plants listed range 2-4 feet. Mediums can be weighted or planted at an angle so they cascade as well. Some plants, such as ruellias and purslanes, close up at night and therefore may not be good choices if you plant to celebrate under moonlight. All the plants listed should continue to bloom throughout the summer.